Pete Orta

Pete Orta grew up in Lubbock, Texas, in the shadow of Buddy Holly. He abandoned a rough upbringing and replaced it with a homeless life at the age of 18. In spite of his extremely dysfunctional upbringing and distorted view of God, his extraordinary gift for playing the guitar opened his life to music, which eventually led to Nashville, TN and a career in the Christian Music Industry.

As a member of the rock band Petra, Pete won one Grammy Award, received two more nominations and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He wrote and sang Petra’s single Breathe In on Petra’s Double Take album, which attracted the attention of Word/Sony Records A&R staff and eventually led to the Recording of his first solo record Born Again. Prior to the release of his album, friend and label mate Jaci Velasquez invited Orta to tour as her guitar player on her Crystal Clear Tour where she featured him in a step out solo performance. Soon after, Orta recorded a duet with Jaci on her 2001 Christmas release Season Of Love. In 2001 Born Again was finally released to rave reviews and rock radio success, which culminated in a 2002 Dove Award nomination for Rock Recorded Song of the Year.

After world tours and years on the road it became apparent to Pete that God was only preparing him and his wife Kelli, for something more significant. In walking with Christ, over time the struggle to be a self made man by creating his own success faded, and his burden increased for those he calls the “unchosen.” He defines the “unchosen” in two ways: “ …young adults who are homeless and facing major life challenges, and those who, because of their age, are no longer eligible for the foster care system. They were unprepared to face a productive life and after years of being moved from family to family, find themselves on the street with no where to go.” After much prayer Pete and Kelli founded and established In Triumph® and began to take these “unchosen” teens off the streets and into their home. Out of his past, Pete is able to relate to the young people in his program, young people who in their few short years have experienced prostitution, drug addiction, imprisonment and all manners of abuse and rejection.

Now, when given the opportunity to address an audience about his journey, Pete loves helping people understand the blessing of taking on the suffering and burdens of those who could never return the favor. The young people he calls “unchosen” are a nameless and growing group in our country and Pete loves the opportunity to introduce his audience to the third world here in America.